The race for the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) is heating up, with a massive and enthusiastic response from potential candidates in the initial days of the nomination process. Election authorities reported that a total of 3,170 nomination forms were sold in just the first two days, signaling the possibility of a highly competitive election.
Brisk Sales Point to Record Turnout
After a strong first day where 1,816 forms were purchased, an additional 1,354 forms were sold on Wednesday. The sale is taking place at nine designated centres across the city, where large crowds have been gathering consistently. Officials stated that the sale will continue until December 30, and the current pace suggests a record number of aspirants may contest the upcoming civic polls.
"The sale of nomination forms is taking place at nine designated centres, where a huge crowd is observed. The aspirants of established political parties and others have been purchasing forms," confirmed the CSMC election authorities. The window for filing these nominations has also opened, with two forms already submitted by Wednesday.
Political Maneuvering and New Entrants
While aspiring candidates rush to buy forms, major political alliances are still fine-tuning their strategies. Seat-sharing talks within the BJP and Shiv Sena are ongoing, having completed four rounds without a final agreement. Similarly, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies are in discussions to reach a consensus. Sources indicate that even if agreements are reached, parties may delay announcing their final candidate lists to manage discontent among those not selected.
Amid expectations of multi-cornered contests in many wards, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared its intention to contest the CSMC polls. AAP regional secretary Sugriv Munde criticized the incumbent administrations, stating, "The established political parties failed to provide water and other basic civic amenities to residents despite enjoying power for years. We believe that people will trust AAP this time and give us a chance to serve."
AIMIM Releases First Candidate List
Adding another dimension to the electoral battle, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) released its first list of candidates on Wednesday for polls in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, and Jalna. For the CSMC, the party has named nine candidates in this initial list, along with three for Nashik and one for Jalna, marking its active participation in the region's politics.
The high volume of nomination form sales, combined with the entry of parties like AAP and the early candidate declaration by AIMIM, sets the stage for a vibrant and closely watched municipal election in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
